Aid Cuts Leave Communities Helpless:

Chin State is facing an unprecedented health emergency as disease outbreaks continue to spread unchecked due to a lack of resources and medical staff. Recent cuts to U.S. aid have crippled essential healthcare services, leaving thousands of vulnerable and displaced people at severe risk. Outbreaks of respiratory infections and diarrhea—already prevalent in the region, especially in the southern townships of Kanpetlet, Matupi, Mindat and Paletwa—are surging, and without adequate medical care, the situation is rapidly deteriorating.

Diarrhea and respiratory illness are spreading unchecked in Kanpetlet, Matupi, Mindat and Paletwa Townships of southern Chin State

CHRO’s mobile medical teams, which once provided critical healthcare to communities across Chin State, have been forced to halt operations due to funding shortages. The cessation of aid has severely impacted the ability to provide medicines, medical staff, and transportation to reach affected areas. This gap in health services has left local communities struggling to address the growing crisis, with no resources available to fill the void.

Moreover, the freeze on humanitarian aid has led to the discontinuation of critical support for victims and survivors of violence perpetrated by the State Administration Council (SAC). Without funds to support the staff providing socio-psychological care, CHRO can no longer offer essential trauma counselling and rehabilitation services. This has not only demoralized the victims, retraumatizing many who now feel abandoned but has also severely affected the morale of the responders, further hampering efforts to provide relief.

CHRO has been instrumental in filling critical health service gaps in Chin State, particularly in areas where other local responders are unable to operate due to a lack of capacity or resources. CHRO’s health interventions have been essential in delivering life-saving care, responding to emergencies, and stabilizing communities. With aid cuts, these vital services are no longer available, leaving a void that local actors cannot fill, and further exacerbating the crisis. Without urgent international support to restore funding, the health and humanitarian crises will continue to deepen, putting the lives of thousands at risk. CHRO calls for immediate action to resume aid and protect the people of Chin State from the devastating consequences of this unfolding emergency.

For more information, please contact CHRO’s Health and Protection Program Manager Dr. Jay on Signal at +918798797613